Protesters march outside Cheney speech

Analysis:

This story from WOOD TV 8 covers protests outside of Vice President Cheney’s September 14, 2007 visit to Grand Rapids. The story is primarily “play-by-play” coverage of the protest, focusing on giving updates on where the protestors were throughout the speech. Does the fact that the protestors were forced to move back 25 steps by the police help WOOD TV 8’s viewers understand why people were holding a protest at Cheney’s speech?

The story contains one quote from a protestor explaining that they want the occupation to end immediately. Despite the fact that the protest had a clearly articulated message calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq, the WOOD TV reporter still says simply that the protestors carried “the usual signs.”

Finally the story includes a clip of an unidentified Cheney supporter saying that the protestors “wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for us. What the hell’s the matter with them?” The statement lacks context and it is unclear what the speaker is referencing. WOOD TV did not ask for further clarification from the man, nor did they attempt to clarify what he meant in the story.

Story:

WOOD TV Reporter: Some of that dissent actual remains an hour after the Vice President left, there is one protestor still standing outside here at the Ford Museum. He left at about 11 o’clock. That protestor was among dozens that showed up here this morning just as the Vice President was about to speak.

WOOD TV Reporter: They represented a number of groups against the war. They gathered at the front door of the museum. A couple of minutes later police moved them back, I counted off–it was about 25 steps to the sidewalk that runs between Ah Nab Awan Park and the museum steps. All of them carried the usual signs and they brought whistles to make a little noise as well. But the opposition wasn’t without opposition.

Cop: Is there somebody in charge?

Protestor: We just marched over from Rosa Parks Circle a few blocks over down to the Ford Museum where Dick Cheney is speaking today to let him know that we don’t support him in any way, that we don’t support this war, and we want the occupation to end immediately.

Cheney Supporter: They wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for us. What the hell’s the matter with them?

WOOD TV Reporter: The protestors then left this area in front of Ah Nab Awan Park and headed a couple of blocks north to the Michigan Street bridge to catch a glimpse of the motorcade. They wanted the Vice President to know they were here.